Trader's car targeted through magnetic bomb

No loss of life reported.

KARACHI: A car was severely damaged after, what officials described was a magnetic bomb, exploded under it on Tuesday evening, Express News reported.

The car's owner, a cellphone trader, escaped the blast. No one else was hurt in the explosion.

Police officials and bomb disposal squad responded to reports that there had been a blast in a car in Azizabad block 8. An Imambargah is also located in the same vicinity.

The car, a black Cuore, belonged to Jafar Imam, who runs a mobile shop in the Serena Mobile market. He is also an office bearer of the Buturab Scouts. Imam, after closing his store for the night, had gone to pay his brother in Azizabad a visit. He was inside when the explosive device blew up.

Police initially suspected that the explosion could be the result of either a CNG cylinder blowing up or a cracker or other homemade explosive hurled by criminal elements. However, a closer inspection by the bomb disposal squad revealed that the explosives were a magnetic device, planted under his car.

Officials added that a similar device had been used to target a Naval officer who belonged to the Shia sect. That blast had left the officer severely injured. The explosives resurfaced when they were used to target an MQM KESC unit office member. This time, the explosives were successful in claiming their victim. Officials said that the devices are a signature of militant groups affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Imam also revealed to the police that he had been receiving threats for some time.

The incident took place on the eve of the major Shia festival of Youm-e-Ali, which is marked by processions in the city. Police though are continuing their investigation into the matter.